Chapter 15

Promises

“Are you really going to drink that?” Arthur hesitantly asked, wrinkles lined in his forehead. His eyes shifted from Vlanca to her wooden bowl. It was filled with thick and syrupy liquid. Its dark reddish color almost robbed his appetite away.

“Honey,” Katarina said in a low tone. “Does her food make you uncomfortable?”

He desperately shook his head, glancing at Vlanca with a tinge of guilt. “No, her food is just strange is all. Wouldn’t it hurt her tummy?”

“No…” An amused smile curved Katarina’s lips. “Though she looked similar to humans, she’s still a vampire. Her body works differently so she’ll be fine.”

His head snapped to the girl. “Really?”

Vlanca nodded, her gaze shifting from one place to another. Duliri who floated behind Arthur in silence also tilted towards his ear and whispered, “Yes, and the mana they gain from fresh blood is much higher than any human food.”

“So she’s a vampire in all ways? No wonder she’s so strong… I really thought my head’s gonna blow up when she’s about to hit–” Arthur gasped, covering his mouth with both hands. Why do I have to say that? That was supposed to be left out! He cussed at himself in his mind.

“Arthur...?” Katarina’s gaze turned so severe that Duliri lowered himself and hid under the table. Vlanca, on the other hand, stared stiffly at her bowl.

“I thought you told me everything.” The old woman glared. Her brows knitted together. “Tell me, did you truly waited in the roof until Vlanca calmed down?”

“Yes… No… Maybe?” He stuttered, his answers kept on changing every time she tried to meet his gaze.

“Duliri! Come out here!”

“YES!” Duliri squeaked as he appeared before Katarina. His voice came out higher than intended. “Your ladyship…” he whispered in a shaky voice. If only he had a body, anyone would see him peeing his pants.

“Tell me the details you didn’t tell me before!”

Duliri couldn’t speak. Even if he wanted to, he just couldn’t. Seeing that, Katarina heaved a sigh and calmed herself. “Let’s finish our dinner first.” Her head turned to Vlanca. “You can return to your room once you’re done. And the two of you…” She didn’t even wait for her response before she glanced back-and-forth to Duliri and Arthur. Her stares hurled sharp lances. “We’ll talk once we’re done.”

Arthur gulped a mouthful of saliva while Katarina looked at him one last time. A stern half-smile marked her lips. “Carry on, Arthur. Finish your meal.”

Arthur delved on his food with a heavy heart. His palms and feet sweated. The food stayed in his mouth longer than usual, and yet, his tongue still tasted nothing. Never did he thought that eating could be so heavy and painful. And the atmosphere too, he didn’t even have any energy left to lift his gaze. He was arching down as though there was something on his shoulders. Countless sighs escaped his lips that dinner, but no one said anything. They ate in silence, and not even the clatter of spoons and fork echoed since they were made of wood.

Once finished, Vlanca immediately stood up. She gently pushed her chair backward, which released a weak scratching noise that broke the silence. Then she bowed at the two of them and walked out of the dining table.

Arthur’s gaze followed her guiltily. It would be bad if his stupidity put her in a tight spot.

“Sorry, granny. I lied,” Arthur admitted after taking a deep breath, looking at Katarina’s jade orbs directly. He didn’t want to linger on the word that he hated the most too much. One regret that led to another was enough. He had to make it right, now. “ I actually followed the girl in the forest.”

“The forest? Are you serious?” Katarina blurted out, clenching her fist. “Arthur, I told you! Don’t go to the woods!”

“I’m sorry–”

“No, you’re not!” She stood up, a loud screeching sound echoing from the chair. Then she walked beside his seat and clutched his arms. “Arthur…” She sucked a breath, barely containing her frustration. “It’s dangerous out there. Why didn’t you listen to me?”

“But the armors will kill her…” His lips pursed outward. “I don’t want her to die.”

Her head snapped to the staff that remained silent all this time. “Did you order them to kill her?”

“Yes, your ladyship,” Duliri answered mechanically as though he had been practicing the words he was about to say. “Because of the moons, the demon girl got stronger and I was afraid her existence might endanger the lord’s life. It was my error not to realize that the moons had long sated her thirst.”

Katarina nodded, breathing slowly and deeply. “Still, she was about to hit Arthur, wasn’t she?”

“Yes… However, I now understood that she had no intention all along. It seemed that girl feigned being on a rampage so we would have reasons to kill her.”

“Are you saying that she wanted to–” she paused, the words refused to come out of her mouth.

A few more moments and Katarina turned to Arthur again. Her firm gaze met his eyes. She neither smiled nor grimaced. “Arthur, I admire that you saved the girl. But promise me…” The authority in her expression heightened as she shook her head. “Do not ever go back to the forest again. Even if I die there, do not ever go.”

Arthur pouted and looked away. “Don’t say that, granny. Didn’t you promise that you’ll live longer than I will?”

“Alright, honey…” Her hands cupped his face and pulled his gaze. “I promise I wouldn’t die before you. Now, promise me, you’ll never ever go to the forest again. Not now. Not when I’m not around.”

“I promise...” He smiled. Then it occurred to him that perhaps, he could as well tell her that he’d been trying to study magic. He didn’t want to disappoint her. But if he kept it a secret for a long time, she’d certainly be more upset once she found out.

Arthur was deep in thoughts when Katarina spoke again, “Is there anything else you wanted to tell me?”

“I was just thinking… You know, I–”

“He’s probably thinking about Vlanca. Maybe he wanted to make sure that her ladyship isn’t mad at her,” Duliri interrupted. He glided behind Arthur and covertly nudged his waist.

Katarina briefly gave the staff a severe glance. “Is that true?”

He nodded, his hands clenched into fists.

“Of course not, honey. More than anything else, I felt bad for her. Is that all you wanted to know?” She beamed and patted Arthur’s hair before looking again at the staff suspiciously. “Or is there something else you wanted me to know?”

Duliri stiffened, increasing Katarina’s suspicion.

“Is there, Arthur?” she repeated.

He shook his head. “I guess, I’ll hit the bed early, granny. I’m quite tired.”

Katarina nodded, smiling in defeat. Then she gently picked him up and brought him back to his bed. It took a lot of willpower to stop herself from asking Arthur. She knew that he's keeping a secret, but she didn't want to force it out of him. After all, she was keeping a secret of her own.

Katarina brushed his hair one last time and placed the blanket above him. After turning on the sculptures, she kissed him goodnight and finally walked out of his room.